Temperature control for cookers



Aug. 6, 1935.

W. E. BUNTON TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR COOKERS Filed Nov. 15, 1933 Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE William E. Bunton, Ja-nesville, Wis, assigncr of one-half to Joseph L. Martin, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application November 13, 1933, Serial No. 6923815 Claims.

This invention appertains to food dispensing machines and more particularly to a novel device for cooking and keeping food products, such as sausages, tamales, meat cakes, etc., in a warm,

5 palatable condition.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide food steamer and a roll or bun warmer for dispensing sandwiches or the like in lunch rooms and similar places in which the food cooked is kept at a predetermined temperature, whereby the repeated heating of. the food after cooking for serving is dispensed with, thereby eliminating the loss of flavor and toughening of the food incident to repeated heating.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide an electric steam cooker and heater embodying novel means whereby the sausages and the like will not be exposed to the atmosphere and whereby the same can be readily cooked and maintained hot by steam, the device for generating the steam utilized in the cooker being so constructed that the same will consume a minimum amount of current.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of novel means for regulating the temperature for the cooking compartment, whereby the temperature is prevented from exceeding a predetermined degree and whereby the cooking chamber will be maintained substantially at a 30 uniform temperature at all times.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of novel means for generating and supplying steam to the cooking and heating chamber, said means embodying an electric heating device and a novel Water supplying device to said electric water heating means, the water supplying device delivering a predetermined amount of water to the electric heater, the water causing the circuit to be closed through the heater.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a thermostatically controlled valve for the water supply, so that when the temperature reaches a predetermined degree, the water supply will be automatically cut on and thereby term 45 porarily preventing the further supply of steam to the cooking compartment.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel compartment arranged in the device for receiving the buns or rolls with novel 50 means for supplying heated vapor generated by the electric heating device to the bun or roll compartment, whereby the buns or rolls will be maintained in a fresh heated condition.

A still further object of my invention is to providean improved electric steamer and cooker of (Cl. PMS-37) the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a low cost.

With these and other objects in View, the in 5 vention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which:

The figure is a vertical longitudinal section through my device, parts thereof being shown diagrammatically.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the letter A generally indicates my improved electric steaming device, which comprises an outer metallic casing which can be ornamented in any desired Way, such as by the use of enamel, porcelain or the like. This casing includes end walls 6 and i, side walls 8, a bottom wall 53 and a top wall Suitable supporting legs or standards it are arranged at the corners of the casing for supporting the same. The bottom wall 9 adjacent to the end wall 7 is provided with a depressed portion defining a water well ii, for a purpose which will be later set forth.

Arranged within the casing or housing is an upper steam cooking and heating compartment i3 and below the heating compartment is a second compartment is for the reception of rolls or buns. This compartment Hi may be defined by a transverse partition plate which terminates short of the lower wall 9 and the top wall iii of the heating and cooking compartment Connected with the lower end of the transverse partition 5 plate i5 is a horizontally disposed partition i6, which is arranged in spaced parallel relation to the bottom wall Q and defines in conjunction therewith an air passageway ii. The other end of the partition plate iii terminates in an upstanding partition wall i8 which forms in conjunction with the well ill a compartment for the electric steam generating device 3 9.

From the description so far, it can be seen that the casing includes a cooking and heating chamber 3, a bun or roll compartment i and a heating compartment for the electric steam generating device 19.

The device may also include means for cook- 50 ing and heating soups, chili con carne, and the like and thus, directly above the steam generating device [9 is a depending well 20 carried by the top wall I t! for the reception of a food receiving receptacle 2|. This receptacle closes an opentric steam generating devicel includesa resere l to a preliminary heating process;

ing 22 in said top wall and the well 2B is adapted to receive a certain amount of cooking water.

The temperature of the water canbe effectively raised by an electric heating device 23 having a switch 2-; for bringing the desired number of heating elements into play. In other words, the electric heater 23 can be formed to provide a low, high and intermediate heat.

The sausages, tamales or meat cakes are, as stated, to be cooked by steam generated from the electric device it. This device I 9 embodies a porcelain hollow body 25 having imbedded in its lower wall an annular electric conducting heat plate 2% and a raised central contact 2?. The annular electric conducting plate 26 and the raised central contact 2? are provided with binding posts to which can be connected the electric feed and return wires. A removable top 8 is provided for the body and a gasket is interposed between the top and the body to prevent the leakage of steam. This top 28 can be supported in any pref rred manner, such as by the water supply pipes 22?: and 3t and a steam outlet pipe 3|. The body 25 is held tightly against its top by means of contractile coil springs 32. These springs can also be employed for holding the tubular wick 33 around the body and this wick depends into the well 2 for a purpose which will be later more fully described.

The steam outlet pipe 3i leads to a manifold pipe 34 arranged in the cooking and heating compartment i3 and this pipe is provided with a plurality or" steam outlets 35.

Arranged at one end of the cooking and heating compartment 13 is a stationary perforated tray 33 for receiving the sausages, hot tamales or meat cakes from the endless belt 3? from the heating device in which the food is cooked. The tray st is arranged'directly below a small pivoted serving door 38 and by opening this door, the sansages can be readily removed for serving. I As this door is'relatively small, very little heat is allowed to escape.

-A second larger door 39 is carried by the top wall 6G and is arranged above the endless belt 3? and is provided for the purpose of placing the sausages on said belt. This door is preferably formed from glass, so that customers can see the articles of food during the cooking process.

Obviously, the belt 3'? can be constructed in any preferred manner, such as from a flexible thin metal and the same is perforated to allow the flow of heat therethrough. Rotatable supportingrollers ll] are provided for the belt and P one of the rollers can have attached thereto an operating hand crank ii arranged exteriorly of the casing, whereby the belt can be moved so as to automatically feed the cooked sausage onto the serving tray 3%.

The means for supplying the water to the elecvoir or tank 32. This tank is arranged within the casing between the cooking and heating compartment it and the steam compartment it. Consequently, the water in this tank issubjected I A funnel d3 communicates with the tank to facilitate the pouring of water into the same.

Arranged exteriorly of the casing is a sight water feeding cup and this cup have its side walls formed of glass so that the height of water therein can be observed. A pipe 45 connects the tank with the upper end of the sight cup and an adjustable needle'valve 46 can be the tank into the cup. If desired, a shut-off plug valve-ii can be incorporated in the length of the water feed pipe 45 for completely shutting off the flow of water from the tank to the casing of the needle valve, when necessary or desirable.

Below the cooking and heating compartment i3 is a casing 48 having a trap or water seal is therein. Communicating with the lower end of one leg of the trap is the water feed pipe 2?. which communicates with the casing 25 of the steam generator 59. Communicating with the other leg of the trap a valve casing and communicating with the valve casing 53 is a water feed pipe 5! leading from the sight cup i l. Within the valve casing 58 is a thermostatically controlled valve 52 for regulating the flow of waterfrom the casing 5:: into the trap 4 The thermostaticportion of the valve is arranged within a suitable casing 53 disposed within the cooking and heating compartment 53 directly below the serving tray 36.

The pipe 5! carries a tube 54 which extends into the sight. cup and this tube 5 5 is adjustable within certain limitations, so that the same can be set according to the desired height of water in the cup. cate with the upper end of the cup, if so desired.

In operation my improved device, the water from the tank 32 will flow into the cup 3 5 and thence through the pipe 5! through the valve casing, trap 69, pipe 25 and into the heat -r cas ing. By regulating the needle valve a small quantity of water is allow-ed to flow into the casing 25 and this amount is suilicient to cover the raised contact 2? so as to form an electric conductor between said raised contact and the conductor plate. This water is quickly heated and changed into steam and the steam flows into the pipe 3! and. out of the manifold pipe 3 under the sausages to. be cooked. When the temperature within the cooking compartment it exceeds a predetermined degree, the thermostatic valve will be operated and further supply of water will be cut off. As soon as the temperature falls below a certain predetermined degree, the thermostat will contract and thus, unseat the valve and allow a predetermined quantity of water to again flow into the casing 25.

From the foregoing. it can be seen that means is provided whereby a predetermined quantity of water is supplied to the electric heating device. Obviously, as soon as the water is turned into steam and the valve 52 is closed, the current is automatically shut oiT.

The trap 19 functions to prevent generated steam from flowing from the steam generator through pipe 5! to the reservoir or supply tank] In some instances, where a higher temperature is initially desired after the valve ii? has closed, additional water is allowed to flow into the heater casing. This is brought about by the use of the pipe 3% which communicates with the lower end of the cup M. A manually operable spring seated valve 56 controls the flow water through the pipe 39 and when more water is desired in the casing 25, the operator merely pulls up on the valve 56. Upon release of the valve 5'6 by the operator, the same: automatically returns to its closed position under influence of its s ring.

An overflow pipe 5'! is arranged within the bottom of the heating compartment 25! and this pipe extends into the well l2. Water for the heating compartment 28 can be supplied by provided for regulating the flow of water frommeans of apipe 58 which communicates with the lower end of the cooking compartment l3. This pipe 58 collects water of condensation from the steam.

The water in the well i2 is attracted up and around the casing 25 of the electric heater by means of the tubular wick 33 and this water is turned into a warm vapor which circulates over the top of the wall I8 into the bun or roll compartment. E4 and back into the compartment around the heater through the passageway ll.

Thus, the buns or rolls are kept in a warm, fresh condition. A suitable door, not shown, is provided for this bun and roll compartment.

A spigot 59 communicates with the compartment for the heater and thus, water can be drained from the system, when necessary.

My device is of a sanitary character, in that the water is used only once for cooking the sausages and the water of condensation is led into the well or compartment 20 for cooking the soup or chili con came.

The device is especially economical to operate, in that low wattage electricity is used and then only used when the water comes into contact with the central contact 2? and the heating plate 25. Thus, there is no large body of water to heat, only the amount in the syphon or trap 4s. The electric heating element will not burn out, in that as soon as the water is used, the current is automatically cut off. The device can be used in any community where electricity is available.

From a safety standpoint, the device is particularly desirable and the same will run as long as water and electricity is supplied and the same can be left without danger of burning out the compartments, for, as stated, the current is automatically cut off when the water suppl fails.

If the electricity should be cut ofi for any reason and the thermostatic valve is left open, and the main valve 55 left open, the water will merely run through the heater [9 up through the steam supply pipe 3: into the cooker through the pipe 58 and thence into the well l2, which holds more water than the tank 42.

While I have shown the use of an endless belt, obviously, this belt can be replaced by a perforated plate, if such should be desired.

That part of the pipe 29 which extends into the casing 48 is made adjustable, so that the height of the pipe in said casing can be regulated. This will allow the operator to control (within certain limits) the drainage of water from the casing into the heater,

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple, economical and durable device for serving sausages and like sandwiches.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what I claim as new is:-

I. In a steam cooking and food warming device, a casing, a steam generator device, a cooking and warming chamber in said casing, a wate supply tank, a sight cup having connection with said tank, a water supply pipe connecting the sight cup with the steam generating device, a water trap in the length of said last mentioned pipe, a thermostatically controlled valve responsive to the temperature of the cooking and warming chamber arranged in the length of said last mentioned pipe in advance of said water trap, and means for conducting the steam generated from the steam generator to the cooking and warming chamber.

2. In a steam cooking and food warming device, a casing, a steam generator device, a cooking and warming chamber in said casing, a water supply tank, a sight cup having connection with said tank, a water supply pipe connecting the sight cup with the steam generating device, a water trap in the length of said last mentioned pipe, a thermostatically controlled valve responsive to the temperature of the cooking and warming chamber arranged in the length of said last mentioned pipe in advance of said water trap, means for conducting the steam generating from the steam generator to the cooking and warming chamber, and a manually operated needle valve for controlling the flow of water from the tank to the sight cup.

3. In a steam cooking and food warming device, a casing, a steam generator device, a cooking and warming chamber in said casing, a water supply tank, a sight cup having connection with said tank, a water supply pipe connecting the sight cup with the steam generating device, a water trap in the length of said last men tioned pipe, a thermostatically controlled valve responsive to the temperature of the cooking and warming chamber arranged in the length of said last mentioned pipe in advance of said water trap, means for conducting the steam generating from the steam generator to the heating and cooking chamber, and manually controlled means independent of the last mentioned pipe and trap for supplying water from the tank to the steam generator.

4. In a steam cooking and food warming device, a casing, a steam generator device, a cooking and warming chamber in said casing, a water supply tank, a sight cup having connection with said tank, a water supply pipe connecting the sight cup with the steam generating device, a water trap in the length of said last mentioned pipe, a thermostatically controlled valve responsive to the term perature of the cooking and warming chamber arranged in the length of said last mentioned pipe in advance of said water trap, means for conducting the steam generating from the steam generator to the heating and cooking chamber, and means independent of the last mentioned pipe and trap for supplying water to the steam generator from the tank, said means including a manually operated valve.

5. In a cooking and warming device for food, a casing, a cooking and heating compartment in said casing, a roll compartment in said casing, a steam generator in said casing, means for sup plying steam from the generator to the first mentioned compartment, the steam generator being disposed above a Water well, a wick in said well surrounding the steam generator, and means for circulating heated vapors from the wick around the roll compartment.

WILLIAM E. BUNTON. 

